PFF ranks college football's Top 10 defensive tackle candidates for the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft has been in the rearview mirror for a couple of months, and many eyes have already begun shifting towards 2023. With a couple of months remaining before college football season gets underway, Pro Football Focus has ranked the Top 10 defensive tackle candidates for the 2023 NFL Draft.

This year’s draft saw two defensive tackles taken in the first round: Georgia‘s Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt. Davis went No. 13 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles and Wyatt No. 28 to the Green Bay Packers.

Draft rankings will undoubtedly change throughout the season, but PFF’s rankings provide an interesting glimpse into the the defensive tackle class in the 2023 NFL Draft. Heading into the year, there are undoubtedly some quality names topping the list.

PFF’s top defensive tackles in the 2023 NFL Draft

1. Jalen Carter, Georgia

Could Carter follow in the footsteps of Davis and Wyatt and become the next Bulldogs defensive tackle to head to the NFL? PFF certainly thinks so. Even playing behind the stars last season, Carter finished second on the team with 33 quarterback pressures and third with 8.5 tackles for loss. PFF gave him a pass rush grade of 90 this past season, the highest of any defensive tackle in the country.

2. Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Bresee was the No. 1 recruit in the country in 2020 according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. He was limited to just four games in 2021 due to injury, but still managed 13 tackles (three for loss) and 1.5 sacks. If he can remain healthy this year, he should shine on the Tigers defense.

3. Jaquelin Roy, LSU

Over his first two seasons with the Tigers, Roy has totaled 48 tackles (10 for loss), 3.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He saw action right away as a true freshman in 2020 and should be one of the leaders of the defensive line in 2022.

4. Siaki Ika, Baylor

In his first season at Baylor after transferring from LSU, Ika earned an 85.7 pass-rushing grade from PFF and racked up 33 pressures. He was a key member of a Bears defense that won the Big 12 championship in 2021, finishing with 24 tackles (six for loss) and 3.5 sacks.

5. Gervon Dexter, Florida

At 6-foot-6 and 303 pounds, Dexter’s massive frame combined with his athleticism make him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. He appeared in 13 games with nine starts this past season, finishing with 50 tackles (4.5 for loss), 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

6. Colby Wooden, Auburn

Wooden had a breakout season for the Tigers in Bryan Harsin’s first year, finishing with 61 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks. He also saw his number of quarterback pressures go from 24 in 2020 to 41 this past season.

7. Jermayne Lole, Louisville

A transfer from Arizona State, Lole missed all of 2021 after suffering a torn bicep. In 28 career appearances for the Sun Devils, he has totaled 123 tackles and 20.0 for loss, 11.0 sacks, eight pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

8. Tuli Tuipulotu, USC

There are plenty of new faces at USC for Lincoln Riley’s first season, but Tuipulotu is one of the holdovers. As a sophomore in 2021, he was named first team All-Pac 12 after recording 48 tackles (7.5 for loss) and 5.5 sacks. His experience should help him as he figures to be a leader of the defense in 2022.

9. Jacob Slade, Michigan State

According to PFF, Slade saw his overall grade go from 71.3 in 2020 to 86.1 this past season. The Spartans emerged as one of college football’s top teams this past season and Slade was a big part of that after finishing with 40 tackles (five for loss), 2.5 sacks and 40 quarterback pressures.

10. Byron Young, Alabama

Young was a solid contributor for the Tide in 2021, playing in all 15 games to record 33 tackles (7.5 for loss) and a pair of sacks. He’ll likely be asked to take on a larger role this season after starting in only seven appearances a year ago.